As I come into the New Year I am reminded of all that the Lord has brought me through this past year. He has given me some really good times, and He has also brought me to some of the lowest valleys I have ever experienced. I have cried more times than I would like to admit, but I have also laughed so hard it hurt many times. I have made countless new relationships in this past year, and grew the bonds stronger in the ones I already had. I have watched friends move on to new things, while I have stayed in the same place. I see different parts of the world through some of their eyes, waiting for the day until I can experience it for myself. It is amazing to see the different seasons we are all in, and all at the same time; all working together for a specific purpose that we are not always quite sure or aware of.
I tend to focus so much on other peoples seasons that I forget to see the one God has me in in the moment. Always comparing and never really quite relishing in and living in my own. I want to start living in my own this year. Even if it doesn’t look like what everyone else has. Or even if it doesn’t meet everyone’s expectation of where I should be. Galatians 1:10 says, “Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.” There is a time and a place for all seasons of life. “A time to be born and a time to die…..a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance…” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). Whatever my season may be I want to live it full heartedly for the Lord. Not for man.
I do feel the Lord calling me to a season of reconstruction of the heart. I came into the new year with this verse: Luke 6:46-49 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it; because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and it’s destruction was complete.” So many times I hear God’s word and fail to put it into practice. I hear Him telling me not to worry, to trust Him through it all, and yet I struggle with anxiety. He tells me to cast my cares on Him because He cares for me, and yet I hold back not wanting to be to much for Him. I say I trust Him and yet I go on living in doubt and fear. He constantly pours His love out on me, and yet I sit here wondering if He really does love me. I start questioning His goodness when things go wrong. He says He will be my comfort and strength, and yet I try to seek comfort in my own ways apart from Him. I depend way too much on my own strength, which is the cause of all my struggles. He says I am a new creation and that my identity is found in Him, but here I am wallowing in who I was as if I still live there. I keep letting the past define who I am rather than believe that I am made new by His grace. I have been building my house without the foundation. The torrents have struck and caused me to crumble. But this year is a time to reconstruct that house; to build on the Rock.
Each lie I have allowed to build up in my heart has to come crumbling down, so that the Lord can build it back up on His truth. Everything I have constructed on my own strength also must go, because in comparison to His strength, oh how weak my attempts are. It is and will continue to be a painful process. But I am filled with joy at the fact that the Lord is so faithful in the repair. He is so diligent at getting out all the imperfections so that in the end He steps back and says, “it is very good…in you I am well pleased…you are my beloved…you are my masterpiece.”
This year I am going to start listening to the truth of God’s word and I will put it into practice this time! I am no longer a slave to the lies I have allowed to take root in my heart! In the Lord’s strength I have and will continue to rise victorious over them! In the Lord’s strength I will continue to be made new!
I don’t know what my physical walk will look like yet this year. But I am excited to see how the Lord will use my spiritual walk to light the way into the physical. As I put into practice this living in truth, I can’t wait to see how that will start radiating into my everyday life. Maybe it will lead me to step out of everything that’s comfortable and trust Him in the unknown. Maybe He will call me to a different state, or even a whole other country! Who knows, but all I know is I’m trusting in the Rock that is Higher than I (Psalm 61:2).
If you are struggling with the same thing, I pray that you will find comfort in God’s truth. That you will continue to hold up the lies to His truth and defeat them in His strength. I pray that you would continue to allow God to reconstruct your heart as He takes you deeper into His truth and love. You are made new and can claim Christ’s victory. You can stand firm against the torrents, because your foundation is found in the Lord. He is your refuge and strength. Believe this and live in it.
God Bless You!
Love,
theblessingsgirl
theblessingsgirl 